Ayatollah Ali Khamenei[3] said the United States "would not hesitate one second" to change Iran's power structure if it had the ability to do so.

State-sponsored PressTV said the ayatollah credited the nation's commitment to the principles of Islam for keeping a religious-centered government in place.

"The other reason behind U.S. inability to change the Islamic establishment [of Iran][4] is that the establishment relies on the nation's faith, kindness and resolve," Khamenei said. "One can change the tactics, but principles must remain rock solid."